11 Facts About Abdussalam Akhundzadeh

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was an Azerbaijani religious educator, Islamic theologian and the fifth Sheikh ul-Islam of the Caucasus.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was born in Salyan on 13 January 1843 to local cleric Akhund Vali Muhammad and his wife Khanum Aliverdi gizi.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh learnt Arabic, Persian and Turkish in early periods of his life from his father.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh moved to Tbilisi in 1864 and settled in current Gorgasali street, Old Tbilisi.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was appointed as Sheikh ul-Islam on 21 June 1893 following death of Mirza Hasan Tahirzadeh and held office until his own death in 1907.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was present in coronation event of Nicholas II of Russia on 26 May 1896.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was active during Armeno-Tatar massacres, promoted peace between communities heavily.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh published a statement alongside Armenian Catholicos Mkrtich Khrimian against massacres in June 1905.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh died shortly afterwards on 18 November 1907, suffering from depression caused by his daughter's death.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was buried in Pantheon of prominent Azerbaijanis, Tbilisi.

Abdussalam Akhundzadeh was replaced by interim Abbasquli Sultan-Huseynbeyov and then succeeded by Mahammad Hasan Movlazadeh Shakavi.